Latin Genealogical Word List

Latin Genealogical Word List

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Genealogical Word Lists

Latin Genealogical Word List

Latin is the language of the Romans. Through the continuing influence of Roman civilization and the use of Latin by the Catholic Church many genealogical resources are written in Latin. This page provides information about the language, including grammar, and a Latin to English wordlist.

The illumination is a capital letter P since the letters following are ETRUS, making the word PETRUS (Peter in Latin).

Usage

Nearly all Roman Catholic church records used Latin to some extent. Latin was used in the records of most European countries and in the Roman Catholic records of the United States and Canada. Because Latin was used in so many countries, local usage varied. Certain terms were commonly used in some countries but not in others. In addition, the Latin used in British records has more abbreviations than the Latin used in European records.

Language Characteristics

Inflections

Latin is an inflected language, meaning that the endings of words vary according to how the words are used in a sentence. Who—whose— whom or marry—marries—married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the most commonly seen form of each Latin word. As you read Latin records, be aware that almost all words vary with usage.

The case of a word describes how it is being used in a sentence. The main three cases are:

Nominative: when the noun is the subject of the sentence, i.e. it is doing the verb
Accusative : when the noun is the object of the sentence, so something else is doing a verb on it.
Genitive: the noun possesses or belongs to something else. In English indicated by 'of' or 's

A word's ending also varies by whether it is plural or singular. Latin words are divided into five declensions, but only three are considered here. Each declension has it's own basic pattern for word endings.

The main word endings genealogists need to know are:

Situation	1st declension	2nd declension	3rd declension
Nominative singular	-a	-us
Nominative plural	-ae	-i	-es
Genitive Singular	-ae	-i	-is
Genitive Plural	-arum	-orum	-um
Accusative Singular	-am	-um	-em
Accusative Plural	-as	-os	-es

Most male names are in the 2nd declension. Nearly all female names are in the 1st declension. Names from both genders can be found in the 3rd declension.

Gender

Latin words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. For example, rex (king) is a masculine word, aetas (age) is a feminine word, and oppidum (town) is a neuter word.

Words that describe persons, places, or things (adjectives) will have either masculine, feminine, or neuter endings to match whatever they describe. For example, in Latin you would write magnus rex (great king), magna aetas (great age), and magnum oppidum (large town).

This word list gives only the masculine form of adjectives. For example:

• noster, nostra, nostrum (our) is listed as noster
• magnus, magna, magnum (great, large) is listed as magnus
• nobilis, nobile (noble, known) is listed as nobilis

Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as patrinus (godfather) and patrina (godmother). This word list usually gives only the masculine form even though a feminine form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word famulus (servant), you can conclude that famula is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only natus est ("he was born"). You can conclude that nata est means "she was born." The plural form nati sunt means "they were born."

Examples and Exceptions

filius	son
(pater) filii	(father) of the son
(baptizavi) filium	(I baptized the) son
(ex) filio	(from) the son
vidua	widow
(filius) viduae	(son) of the widow
(sepelivi) viduam	(I buried the) widow
(ex) vidua	(from) the widow
pater	father
(filius) patris	(son) of the father
(sepelivi) patrem	(I buried the) father
(ex) patre	(from) the father

Other noun endings change as follows to show possession:

• -as may change to -atis
• -ns may change to -ntis
• -or may change to -oris
• -tio may change to -tionis

Example: sartor (tailor) changes to sartoris (of the tailor)

Words that show action (verbs) also vary depending on who is doing the action and whether the action is past, present, or future. For example, the Latin word baptizare (to baptize) will appear with various endings:

Present	Past
baptize	have baptized, baptized
(I) baptizo	baptizavi, baptizabam
(he) baptizat	baptizavit, baptizabat
(they) baptizant	baptizaverunt, baptizabant
is baptized	was baptized
(he) baptizatur	baptizatus est

Plurals

Plural forms of Latin words usually end in -i, -ae, or -es. Thus patrinus (godfather) becomes patrini (godparents), filia (daughter) becomes filiae (daughters), and pater (father) becomes patres (fathers). However, these same endings may also indicate other grammatical changes besides plurality.

Grammatical Use

The endings of Latin words can also vary depending on the grammatical use of the words. Latin grammar requires a specific type of ending for a word used as the subject of the sentence, used in the possessive, used as the object of a verb, or used with a preposition. Latin words fall into several classes, each with its own set of grammatical endings.

If you do not find a Latin word in this list with the same ending as the word in your Latin document, find a similar ending in the examples below to see how the word in your document is used:

Latin	English
filius	son
(pater) filii	(father) of the son
(baptizavi) filium	(I baptized the) son
(ex) filio	(from) the son
vidua	widow
(filius) viduae	(son) of the widow
(sepelivi) viduam	(I buried the) widow
(ex) vidua	(from) the widow
pater	father
(filius) patris	(son) of the father
(sepelivi) patrem	(I buried the) father
(ex) patre	(from) the father

Other noun endings change as follows to show possession:

-as may change to -atis

-ns may change to -ntis

-or may change to -oris

-tio may change to -tionis

Example: sartor (tailor) changes to sartoris (of the tailor)

Words that show action (verbs) also vary depending on who is doing the action and whether the action is past, present, or future. For example, the Latin word baptizare (to baptize) will appear with various endings:

	Present	Past
	baptize	have baptized, baptized
(I)	baptizo	baptizavi, baptizabam
(he)	baptizat	baptizavit, baptizabat
(they)	baptizant	baptizaverunt, baptizabant
	is baptized	was baptized
(he/she)	baptizatur	baptizatus/baptizata est

Spelling

Spelling rules were not standardized in earlier centuries. The following spelling variations are common in Latin documents:

• i and j used interchangeably
• u and v used interchangeably
• e used for ae (æ)
• e used for oe (œ)
• c used for qu

Examples:

• ejusdem or eiusdem
• civis or ciuis
• preceptor or praeceptor
• celebs or coelebs
• quondam or condam

Additional Resources

This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Latin-English dictionary. Latin-English dictionaries are available on each floor of the FamilySearch Library. The call numbers begin with 473.21. Many resources exist that will help you read Latin genealogical records. One of these is a 10 part online video called, Latin Handwriting.

Another resource is the National Archives of England, they have 12 online lessons covering latin records from 1086 to 1733, each lesson provides step by step instructions and is listed under the title of "Learn medieval Latin - Stage 1".

The Internet can be of great assistance in trying to translate Latin. There are some dictionaries and word lists as well as some sites that will translate for you. One good website is William Whitaker's Words for translating words; also try this online Latin Dictionary. It is important to remember with using any of these websites that you have to be careful about accepting the meaning. Be sure that the meaning makes sense with what you are trying to translate.

The Dizionario di Abbreviature Latine ed Italiane contains an intensive list of Latin abbreviations, but the translations are in Italian.

• Ainsworth, Robert. Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary. Revised Edition. London, England: F. Westly and A.H. Davis, 1836. FS Catalog book 473 Ai65a 1836; film 599788 - images; At various libraries (WorldCat). Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

Additional dictionaries are listed under Latin Language - Dictionaries in the Subject Search of the FamilySearch Catalog. Most bookstores carry useful, inexpensive Latin-English dictionaries.

The following sources can also be helpful for reading Latin records:

• Baxter, J. H. and Charles Johnson. Medieval Latin Word-List From British and Irish Sources. London, England: Oxford University Press, n.d. FS Catalog book 942 A8bm; At various libraries (WorldCat).

• Grun, Paul A. Schlüssel zur alten und neuen Abkürzungen: Wörterbuch lateinischer und deutscher Abkürzungen des späten Mittlealters und der Neuzeit. Limburg/Lahn, Germany: Starke Verlag, 1966. FS Catalog book 943 B4gg vol. 6. Key to ancient and modern abbreviations: Dictionary of Latin and German abbreviations of the late middle age and modern times.

• Jensen, C. Russell. Parish Register Latin: An Introduction. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Vita Nova Books, 1988. FS Catalog book 475 J453p; At various libraries (WorldCat). A guide to understanding Latin as it appears in continental European church records. Online at: Internet Archive.

• Martin, Charles Trice. The Record Interpreter: A Collection of Abbreviations, Latin Words and Names Used in English Historical Manuscripts and Records. 2nd ed. London: Stevens, 1910. FS Catalog book 422.471 M363re 1910; 1892 edition on FS Library film 547,182, item 3; At various libraries (WorldCat).

• McLaughlin, Eve. Simple Latin for Family Historians. 2nd ed. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies, 1987. FS Catalog book 471.1 M273; At various libraries (WorldCat). This booklet lists Latin words frequently used in English parish registers.

• Temple, Robin Edgel. Latin for Genealogical Research: A Primer for Record Latin. Thesis (M.A.). Brigham Young University, 1977. FS Library call number 929.1 T247L; edition on FS Library film 6070611(*); At various libraries (WorldCat).

Key Words

To find and use specific types of Latin records, you will need to know some key words in Latin. This section lists key genealogical terms in English and gives the Latin words that have the same or similar meanings.

For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Latin words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in Latin records to indicate marriage.

English	Latin
birth	nati, natus, genitus, natales, ortus, oriundus
burial	sepulti, sepultus, humatus, humatio
christening	baptismi, baptizatus, renatus, plutus, lautus, purgatus, ablutus, lustratio
child	infans, filius/filia, puer, proles
death	mortuus, defunctus, obitus, denatus, decessus, peritus, mors, mortis, obiit, decessit
father	pater
godparent	patrini, levantes, susceptores, compater, commater, matrina
husband	maritus, sponsus, conjux, vir
marriage	matrimonium, copulatio, copulati, conjuncti, intronizati, nupti, sponsati, ligati, mariti
marriage banns	banni, proclamationes, denuntiationes
mother	mater
given name	nomen
surname	cognomen
parents	parentes, genitores
wife	uxor, marita, conjux, sponsa, mulier, femina, consors

Genealogical Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Latin	English
+	Defuncti	died
&c	et cætera	and also
aas	anno aetatis suae	died in the year of his age, i.e., a.a.s. 24
ar	anno regni	year of reign
at	ætatis	age
atq.	atque (variant of "ac")	and, and also
c	circa	about, approximately
c	comitis	count
Ch	Confirmati	confirmed
civit	civitas	city
dsp	decessit sine prole	died without issue (children)
dspl	decessit sine prole legitima	died without legitimate issue (children)
dspm	decessit sine prole mascula	died without male issue (sons)
dspml	decessit sine prole mascula legitima	died without legitimate male issue (sons)
dspms	decessit sine prole mascula superstite	died without surviving male issue (living sons)
dsps	decessit sine prole superstite	died without surviving issue (living children)
dspv	decessit sine prole virilli	died without male issue (sons)
dvm	decessit vita matris	died in the lifetime of the mother
dvp	decessit vita patris	died in the lifetime of the father
J	Matrimonis Juncti	joined in marriage
msp	mortuus sine prole	died without offspring (children)
na	natus or nata	born
NB!	Nota bene	important note, please note
ob	obiit	died, followed by the date
osp or ob.s.p.	obiit (or obit) sine prole	died without issue (children)
P	Prima vice Communicates	first communion
PP	per procurationem	by proxy
q.	quondam	deceased, the late
slp	sine legitima prole	died without legitimate issue (children)
smp	sine mascula prole	died without male issue (sons)
sp	sine prole	without issue (children)
spl	sine prole legitima	died without legitimate issue (children)
spm	sine prole mascula	died without male issue (sons)
sps	sine prole superstite	without surviving issue (children)
sp/ss	susceptores	sponsors (godparents)

Numbers

In some genealogical records, numbers—especially dates—are written out. The following list gives the cardinal (1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Ordinal numbers are adjectives and may sometimes appear with the feminine ending (-a) or the neuter ending (-um). In written dates the ordinal numbers usually end with the grammatical ending (-o). Example:

quartus = the fourth
quarto = on the fourth

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 101 150 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Cardinal unus duo, duae tres, tres, tria quattuor quinque sex septem octo novem decem undecim duodecim tredecim quattuordecim quindecim sedecim septemdecim, decimo septimo odeviginti undeviginti, decimo nona viginti viginti unus viginti duo viginti tres viginti quattuor viginti quinque viginti sex viginti septem viginti octo viginti novem triginta quadraginta quinquaginta sexaginta septuaginta octoginta nonaginta centum centum unus centum quinquaginta ducenti trecenti quadringenti quingenti sescenti septigenti octingenti nongenti mille

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20st 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 40th 50th 60th 70th 80th 90th 100th 101th 150th 200th 300th 400th 500th 600th 700th 800th 900th 1000th

Ordinal primus secundus tertius quartus quintus sextus septimus octavus nonus decimus undecimus duodecimus tertius decimus quartus decimus quintus decimus sextus decimus septimus decimus duodevicesimus undevicesimus vicesimus or vigesimus vicesimus primus vicesimus secundus vicesimus tertius vicesimus quartus vicesimus quintus vicesimus sextus vicesimus septimus vicesimus octavus vicesimus nonus tricesimus quadragesimus quinquagesimus sexagesimus septuagesimus octogesimus nonagesimus centesimus centesimus primus centesimus quinquagesimus ducentesimus trecentesimus quadringentesimus quingentesimus sescentesimus septingentesimus octingentesimus nongentesimus millesimus

Roman Numerals

Roman numerals are written as combinations of the seven letters listed below. The letters can be written in capital (XVI) or lower-case (xvi) letters.

I = 1

V = 5

X = 10

L = 50

C = 100

D = 500

M = 1000

D is sometimes represented by the symbol .

M is sometimes represented by the symbol .

If smaller value numbers follow larger value numbers, add the values together. If a smaller value number precedes a larger value number, subtract the smaller from the larger. For example:

VII IX XL MDCCII MCMLXIV

= (5+2) = 7 = (10-1) = 9 = (50-10) = 40 = 1000+500+200+2 = 1702 = 1000+(1000-100)+50+10+(5-1) = 1964

Common Roman Numerals

1 = I 2 = II 3 = III 4 = IV 5 = V 6 = VI 7 = VII 8 = VIII 9 = IX 10 = X 11 = XI 12 = XII 13 = XIII

14 = XIV 15 = XV 16 = XVI 17 = XVII 18 = XVIII 19 = XIX 20 = XX 21 = XXI 22 = XXII 23 = XXIII 24 = XXIV 25 = XXV 26 = XXVI

27 = XXVII 28 = XXVIII 29 = XXIX 30 = XXX 31 = XXXI 40 = XL 50 = L 60 = LX 70 = LXX 80 = LXXX 90 = XC 100 = C 101 = CI

150 = CL 200 = CC 300 = CCC 400 = CD 500 = D 600 = DC 700 = DCC 800 = DCCC 900 = CM 1000 = M 1600 = MDC 1700 = MDCC 1800 = MDCCC 1900 = MCM

Dates and Times

In Latin records, dates are often written out. Numbers generally end with -o when used in a date. For example:

Anno Domini millesimo sescentesimo nonagesimo quarto et die decimo septimo mensis Maii [In the year of (our) Lord one thousand six hundred ninety-four, and on the seventeenth day of the month of May]

To understand Latin dates, use the following lists as well as the preceding "Numbers" section.

Months

English	Latin
January	Januarius
February	Februarius
March	Martius
April	Aprilis
May	Maius
June	Junius
July	Julius
August	Augustus
September	September, 7ber, VIIber, 7bri, VIIbri
October	October, 8ber, VIIIber, 8bri, VIIIbri
November	November, 9ber, IXber, 9bri, IXbri
December	December, 10ber, Xber. 10bri, Xbri

Days of the Week

English	Latin
Sunday	dominica, dies dominica, dominicus, dies Solis, feria prima, abbreviations: Dca., dom., fer. pri., fer. 1.
Monday	feria secunda, dies Lunae, abbreviations: fer.sec., fer. 2.
Tuesday	feria tertia, dies Martis, abbreviations: fer. ter., fer. 3.
Wednesday	feria quarta, dies Mercurii, abbreviations: fer. quar., fer. 4.
Thursday	feria quinta, dies Jovis, abbreviations: fer quin., fer. 5.
Friday	feria sexta, dies Veneris, abbreviations: fer sex., fer 6.
Saturday	feria septima, sabbatum, dies sabbatinus, dies Saturni, abbreviations: fer. sept., fer. 7

Phrases Indicating Time

Latin	English
anno domini	in the year of the Lord
anno incarnationis	in the year (since/of) the incarnation of the Lord
annus	year
annus bissextus	leap year
ante meridiem	before noon (a.m.)
altera die	on the next day
biduum	space of two days, two-day period
cras	tomorrow
die	day
die sequenti	on the following day
die vero	this very day
ejusdem die	of the same day
eodem anno	in the same year
eodem die	on the same day
eodem mense	in the same month
eodemque	the same (day, month)
eo tempore	at this time
feria	day, holiday
hebdomada	a week
heri	yesterday
hodie	today
hora	hour
longo tempore	for a long time
mane	in the morning
matutinus, mat.	in the morning
meridie	noon
mense	month
nocte	at night
nudius tertius	three days earlier
nunc dies tertius	three days earlier
nunc temporis	of the present time
perendie	day after tomorrow
pomerid	after noon (p.m.)
post meridiem	after noon (p.m.)
postridie	on the day after, a day later
pridie	the day before
pro tempore	for (at) the time
triduum	space of three days, three-day period
tunc temporis	of former time
vespere, vespertinus	in the evening

General Words

This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list.

In this list, some grammatical variations of Latin words are given in parentheses. Some Latin phrases and their translations are listed [in brackets] under the most significant Latin word, not the first word, of the phrase. Words in parentheses in the English column clarify the definition.

Click the letter below to get to the words starting with that letter.

A

Latin	English
a (ab)	from, by (ablative preposition)
abavia	great-great-grandmother
abavus	great-great-grandfather, ancestor
abdormitus	died
abdormivit	he/she died
ab hoc mense	from this month on
abiit	he/she died
abinde	since
abitus est	he/she died, went away
abjectarius	cabinetmaker, woodworker
abjuro	to renounce by oath
ablutus est	he was baptized
abs	from, by
abscessus	death
absque	without, except
abstersus	baptized
abuo	I baptize, I wash
ac	and
acatholicus	non-Catholic, Protestant
accipio	to take, receive, take possession of
accola	local resident
acicularius	needle maker
acquiescat	he/she reposes, dies, is content with
acquietus est	he died
acra	acre
actum	record
ad	to, at, in, for, towards
adhuc	as yet, still
adjutor	assistant
adjuvenis	assistant
adolescens	young man, adolescent
adulterium	adultery
advenit	he appeared, came
advocatus	lawyer
aeger	sick
aegyptus	gypsy
aequalis	equal
aetas (aetatis)	age
aetate	(being) in the age of, age
affinitas	relationship by marriage
affirmavit	he/she affirmed, confirmed, asserted
agentis	of the official
agnatus	blood relative in the male line
agonia	cramps
agricola	farmer
ahenarius	coppersmith
albus	white
alemannus	German
alias	also, otherwise, or, at, another, called
alibi	elsewhere, at another time
aliqui, aliquod	some
aliud (alius)	other, another
allemania	Germany
altare	altar
alter	the next, the other
alutarius	tanner
ambo	both, two together
amita	aunt, father's sister
amitinus	cousin, (child of father's sister)
ancilla	female servant
ancillus	male servant
anglia	England
anima	soul, spirit
animam reddidit domino suo	he/she returned his/her soul to his/her Lord (died)
anno	in the year (of)
anno domini	in the year of (our) Lord
anno incarnationis	in the year (since/of) the incarnation (of the Lord)
annus	year
andedictus	aforesaid
ante	before, in front of, prior to
antiquus	old, senior
apoplexia	stroke
aprilis	of April
apud	at the house of, at, by, near
aqua	water
archidiaconus	archdeacon
archiepiscopus	archbishop
archivum	archive
arcularius	carpenter
arma	coat of arms
armentarius	herdsman
armiger	gentleman, squire
armorum	of coats of arms
at	but
atque	and
augusti	of August
aurifaber	goldsmith
auriga	driver
aut	or
autem	but, however, moreover
auxentium	Alsace
ava	grandmother
avi	ancestors, grandparents
avia	grandmother
aviaticus	nephew
avunculus	uncle (mother's brother)
avus	grandfather

B

Latin	English
bacallarius	bachelor
baillivus	bailiff
balneator	bathhouse operator; surgeon
bannorum, liber	register of marriage banns, announcements
bannum	bann, marriage proclamation
baptisatus, baptizata	baptized
baptisma	baptism
necessitate baptismo	(being) an emergency baptism
baptismatis	of baptism
baptismus	baptism
baptizatorum, liber	register of baptisms
baptizatus est, baptizata est	he was baptized, has been baptized
baptizavi	I baptized, have baptized
baro	baron
beatus	blessed, deceased
bene	well
bergarius	shepherd
biduum	space of two days, two-day period
biennium	two-year period
bona	possessions
bonus	good
bordarius	cottager, tenant, border
borussia	Prussia
brasiator	brewer
burgensis	citizen, burgess

C

Latin	English
cadaver	dead body, cadaver
caelebs	bachelor, single man
caelum	heaven, sky
caementarius	stonemason
calcearius	shoemaker
calciator	shoemaker
caledonia	Scotland
caligator	shoemaker
cambria	Wales
cameranius	chamberlain, valet, groom
capella	chapel
capellanus	chaplain
capitis	head, chief
capt et jurat	taken and sworn
caput	head, chief
carbonarius	collier, coal miner
carecarius	carter
carnarius	butcher
carpentarius	carpenter
carta	deed, charter, map
casale	estate, village
casatus	cottager
cataster	land, property record
catholicus	Catholic
caupo (cauponis)	innkeeper
causa	cause, sake, because of
ex causa	on account of, for the sake of
celator	turner
celebraverunt	they celebrated, were married
census	census
centenarius	a person one hundred years of age
centesimus	hundredth
centum	hundred
cerdo (cerdonis)	handworker
chartarius	paper miller
chirotherarus	glover
chirurgus	surgeon
chramarius	merchant
cimeterium	cemetery
cingarus	gypsy
circa	about, around, round about
circiter	about, approximately
civis	citizen
civitas	city
clausit	he/she finished, closed
claustrarius	locksmith
clausum	closed, finished
clericus	clergyman
clostrarius	locksmith
coelebs	bachelor, single man
coemeterium	cemetery
cognationis	blood relationship
collis	hill, mount, mountain
cognomen	name, family name, surname
colonus	colonist, settler, resident, farmer
colorator	dyer
comes	count
comitas	county
comitatus	county
comitissa	countess
commater	godmother
commorantes	living, residing
comparatio	presence, appearance
comparuit	he/she appeared, was present
compater	godfather
compos	in possession of
concepta est	she was pregnant
concessit	consented
conditione, sub	conditionally
conjugatus	married
conjuges	married couple
conjugum	of/from the married couple
conjuncti sunt	they were joined (in marriage)
conjux	spouse
consanguinitatis	of blood relationship (such as cousins)
consobrina	female cousin (usually on the mother's side)
consobrinus	male cousin (usually on the mother's side)
consors (consortis)	wife
contra	against, opposite
contracti	contracted, drawn together
contraxerunt	they contracted (marriage)
convulsionis	of convulsions
coop. loci., cooperator loci	local assistant priest
cooperator	assistant priest, curate, chaplain
cooperta	married (of a woman)
copulationis	of marriage
copulati sunt	they were married, joined
copulatus	married, joined
copulavit	he married (performed wedding)
coquus	cook
coram	in the presence of
coriarius	tanner, leather worker
corpus (corporis)	body
cotarius	cottager
coziarius	cook
cras	tomorrow
creatura dei	foundling (creature of God)
cuius	whose
cuiusdam	of a certain
cultellarius	cutler
cum	with
cuprifaber	coppersmith
cur	why
curia	court
currarius	carriage builder
custos (custodis)	custodian, guard

D

Latin	English
datum	date, given
de	of, from, by, concerning, about
debilitas	illness, weakness
decanatus	deanery, section of a diocese
decanus	deacon
decem	ten
decembris	of December
decessit	he/she died
decessus	died, death
decimus	tenth
decretum	decree
decubuit	he/she died, lay down
dedit	he/she gave
deflorata	deflowered, no longer a virgin
defuit	he/she departed, died
defunctorum	of the dead (people)
defunctorum, liber	register of the deceased
defunctus est	he/she dies, is discharged
defungitur	he died
dei	of God
deinde	then, thereafter, next
dilectus	beloved
denarius	coin, penny, money
denatus	deceased, dead
denatus est	he died, has died
denunciatio	publication of marriage banns
factis tribus denunciationibus	after the publication of three marriage banns (three marriage banns having been published)
desponsationis	engagement
desponsatus	engaged
deus	God
dexter	right
dictus	said, stated, known as
didymus	twin
die	on the day
dies (diei)	day
dignus	worthy
dimidium	half
diocesis	diocese
discessit	he/she died
disponsationis	permission
diuturnus	of long duration
divortium	divorce
doageria	dowager
dodum	formerly, recently
domi	at home
domicella	young lady, servant, nun
domicellus	young nobleman, junker, servant, servant in a monastery
domina	lady
dominica	Sunday
dominus	lord, rule, the Lord (Jesus Christ)
domus	home, house, family
donum	gift
dos (dotis)	dowry
duae	two
ducatus	duchy
ducentesimus	two hundredth
ducenti	two hundred
ducis	See dux.
dum	while, when, until, as long as
duo	two
duodecim	twelve
duodecimus	twelfth
duodevicesimus	eighteenth
duodeviginti	eighteen
dux (ducis)	duke, leader
dysenteria	dysentery

E

Latin	English
e	out of, from
eadem	the same
eam	her
ebdomada	week
ecclampsia	convulsions
ecclesia	church
in facie ecclesiae	in front of the church
ego	I
ejusdem	the same
elapsus	past, elapsed
empicus	lung disease
enim	for, namely, truly
-ensis	a suffix indicating the name of a town or city
eodem	the same
eodem die	on the same day
eodemque	the same (day, month)
episcopus	bishop
equalis	equal
eques (equitis)	knight, cavalry soldier
erant	they were
ergo	therefore, because of
erratum	error
esse	to be
est	he/she is
et	and, even
etiam	and also, and even
eum	him
ex	from, out of (places of origin)
exhalavit animam	he/she breathed out his/her soul (died)
extra	outside of, beyond
extraneus	stranger, foreign
extremum	last
extremum munitus	last rites provided
exulatus	exile

F

Latin	English
faber	maker, smith
faber lignarius	carpenter, joiner
factus	made
falso	falsely, incorrectly
familia	family
familiaris	relative, slave, friend, follower
famula	maid servant
famulus	(male) servant
feber (febris)	fever
februarii	of February
fecunda	pregnant
femina	female, woman
fere	almost, nearly
feria	day, holiday
festum	feast, festival, wedding
fidelis	faithful
figulus	potter
filia	daughter
filia populae	illegitimate daughter
filiaster	stepson
filiastra	stepdaughter
filiola	little daughter
filiolus	little son
filius	son
filius populi	illegitimate son
finis	border, end
firmarius	farmer
fluxus	dysentery
focus	hearth, fireplace, home
foderator	fuller, cloth worker
fodiator	digger
folium	page
fons (fontis)	baptismal font, spring, fountain
fossor	grave digger, miner
frater	brother
fuerunt	they were
fui	I was
fuit	he/she was
furnarius	baker

G

Latin	English
garcio	boy, servant
gardianus	church warden
gemellae	twins (female)
gemelli	twins (male, or male and female)
geminus	twin
genealogia	genealogy
gener	son-in-law
generis	See genus.
generosus	of noble birth, gentleman
genitor	father
genitores	parents
genitus est	he was born, begotten
gens (gentis)	male line, clan, tribe, lineage
genuit	he/she was begotten
genus (generis)	sex, type, kind, birth, descent, origin, class, race
germana	real sister (by blood), German
germania	Germany
germanus	real brother (by blood), German
glos (gloris)	sister-in-law (wife's sister)
gradus	degree, grade
gratia	grace, sake
gravida	pregnant
guardianus	guardian
gubernium	domain

H

Latin	English
habent	they have
habet	he/she has
habitans	resident, inhabitant
habitatio	residence
habitavit	he/she resided, dwelt
habuit	he/she had, held
haec (hac)	this, the latter
haereticus	heretic
haud	not
hebdomada	week
helvetia	Switzerland
heres (heredis)	heir
heri	yesterday
hibernia	Ireland
hic	here
hinc	from here
his	this, the latter
hispania	Spain
hoc	this, the latter
hodie	today
homo (hominis)	man, human being
honestus	respectable, honorable
hora	hour
hortulanus	gardener
hospes (hospitis)	innkeeper
huius, hujus	of this, of the latter
hujate	in this town/place
humationis	burial
humatus est	he was buried
humilis	humble, lowly
hungaricus	Hungarian
hydropsis	dropsy
hypodidasculus	schoolmaster, usher

I

Latin	English
iam	already
ibi	there
ibidem (ib, ibid)	in the same place
idem	the same
ignotus	unknown
iit	he/she went
illegitimus	illegitimate
illius	of that, of the former
impedimentum	hindrance, impediment (often to a marriage)
nulloque detecto impedimento matrimonio	and no hindrance to the marriage having been uncovered
imperium	empire
imponit	he imposes, places upon
impositus	imposed, placed upon, given
cui impositum est nomen	to whom was given the name
imposui	I placed upon
impraegnavit	he impregnated
impregnata	pregnant
in nomine S.S. Trinitatis	in the name of the Holy Trinity
incarnationis	of the incarnation (of the Lord)
incola	inhabitant, resident
index (indicis)	index
inerunt	they entered into (marriage)
infans (infantis)	child, infant
inferior	lower
infirmus	weak
infra	below, under
infrascriptus	written below, undersigned
iniit	he/she entered, began
initiatus est	he was baptized
injuria	injury, worry
inter	between
intra	within, during
intronizati sunt	they were married, have been married
intronizaverunt	they married, have married
inupta	unmarried
invenit	he/she found, discovered
ipse	himself, herself, itself
ipsius	of himself, of herself, of itself, his, her, its
ita	so, thus
item	also, likewise
ivit	he/she went

J

Latin	English
januarii	of January
jovis, dies	Thursday
judaicus	Jewish
judicium	court, judgment
jugum	married couple (short for conjugum)
julii	of July
juncti sunt	they were joined (in marriage)
junii	of June
junior	younger, junior
juravit	he/she swore, took an oath
jure	legally, lawfully
juro	I swear, testify
jus (juris)	law
juvenis	young man, young woman, young person
juxta	near to, beside

L

Latin	English
laborius	worker, laborer
lanarius	wool worker
lanatus	clothed in wool
laniarius	butcher
laniator	butcher
lanifex (lanificis)	weaver
laterarius	brick maker
lautus est	he was baptized, has been baptized
lavacrum	font
lavatus est	he was baptized, washed
lavo	I baptize, wash
legio	legion
legitimatus	legitimate
levabat	he was holding, raising, lifting up
levans	godparent
levantes	the godparents
levantibus	by the godparents
levare ex fonte	to raise from the baptismal font, to act as a godparent
levir	husband's brother, brother-in-law
liber	book, register, free
liberi	children
libra	pound (weight)
ligati sunt	they were married, have been married
ligatus	married, joined, married person
ligavi	I joined (in marriage)
lignarius	joiner, cabinetmaker
lignicidus	woodcutter
linifex (linificis)	linen weaver
locus	place
ludimagister	schoolmaster, teacher
ludus	school
lunae, dies	Monday
lustrationis	of the baptism

M

Latin	English
macellator	butcher
magis	more
magister	master
magnus	large, great
maii	of May
major	greater, older
majorennis	of legal age
majoritatatis	of legal age, majority
male	badly
malus	bad, evil
mane	in the morning
manu propria	(signed) by one's own hand
manus	hand, band
marasmus	weakness
maris	of a male, man
marita	married, wife
mariti	married couple
maritus	married, husband
martii	of March
martis, dies	Tuesday
mas	male, man
mater (matris)	mother
matertera	aunt, mother's sister
matrica	register, record book
matrimonium	marriage
per subsequens matrimonium legitimatus	legitimized by subsequent marriage
matrina	godmother
matruelis	cousin on mother's side
matutinus (matut.)	in the morning
me	me
mecum	with me
medicus	doctor
mendicus	beggar
mense	in the month (of)
mensis	month
mercator	merchant
mercenarius	day laborer
mercurii, dies	Wednesday
meretrix (meretricis)	harlot, prostitute
meridies	noon
meus	mine
miles (militis)	soldier, knight
mille	thousand
millesimus	thousandth
minorennis	not of legal age
minoritatis	of less than legal age, minority
minus	less
modo	lately, presently, now
modus	manner, way
mola	mill
molitor	miller
moneta	money
mons (montis)	mountain
morbus	disease
more novo	(according to) the new style (of dating)
more vetere	(according to) the old style (of dating)
moritur	he/she died
mortis	of death
ex hac mortali ad immortalem vitam	from this mortality to immortal life (died)
ob imminens mortis periculum	on account of imminent danger of death (for an emergency baptism)
mortuus est	he died
mos (moris)	custom, manner
mulier	woman, wife
multus	many
municeps	a magistrate of a town
munitus	fortified, provided
murarius	bricklayer
mutuus	mutual, common

N

Latin	English
nativitas	birth
naturalis	natural, illegitimate
natus est, nata est	he was born
natus hoc die	born this day
nauta	sailor
nec	neither, nor
necessitatis	of necessity
necnon	and also
negotiator	merchant (commerce)
nemo (neminis)	no one
nempe	namely
neosponsa	newlywed (female)
neosponsus	newlywed (male)
nepos (nepotis)	nephew, grandson
neptis	niece, granddaughter
neque	and not
nescit	he doesn't know
niger	black
nihil	nothing
nisi	if not
n.n. = nomen nescio	I do not know the name
nobilis	noble
nobilitatis	of nobility
nocte	at night
nomen	name
nomen nescio	name not known
nominatus est	he was named
nomine	by/with the name (of)
non	not, no
nonagenarius	a person in his nineties
nonagesimus	ninetieth
nonaginta	ninety
nongentesimus	nine hundredth
nongenti	nine hundred
nonus	ninth
nonus decimus	nineteenth
nos	we, us
noster	our
nota bene	note well, notice
notarius	notary
nothus	illegitimate child
novem	nine
novembris	of November
noverca	stepmother
nox	night
nudius	earlier
nudius tertius	today is the third day (e.g., the day before yesterday)
nullus	no, none
numerus	number
nunc	now, at this time
nunquam	never
nuntius	messenger
nuper	lately (sometimes denotes a deceased person)
nupserunt	they married
nupta	married woman, bride
nuptias	wedding
nuptus	married
nurus	daughter-in-law
nutritor	foster father
nutrius	foster child
nutrix (nutricis)	foster mother

O

Latin	English
ob	on account of, for, according to
obdormitus est	he fell asleep, died
obierunt	they died, have died
ob(i) imminens vitæ periculum	because of impending danger of death
obiit	he/she died, went away, departed
obiit sine prole	died without issue
obitus	death, died
obstetrix (obstetricis)	midwife
octavus	eighth
octavus decimus	eighteenth
octingentesimus	eight hundredth
octingenti	eight hundred
octo	eight
octobris	of October
octogenarius	a person in his eighties
octogesimus	eightieth
octoginta	eighty
officialis	official
oibus	Short for omnibus, 'all'
olim	formerly, once (sometimes denotes a deceased person; also used in English church records to denote a name change, such as a slave name prior to baptism; "formerly known as")
omnis	all, every
operarius	day laborer
oppidum	city, town
orbus	orphan
origo (originis)	origin, birth
oriundus, ex	originating (from), born
orphanus	orphan
ortus	origin, birth
ovilius	shepherd

P

Latin	English
pacatio	payment
paene	almost, nearly
pagina	page
pagus	village, district
palatium	palatinate
panifex	baker
papa	pope
parentes	parents
pariochialis	parochial, parish
pariter	equally, also
parochia	parish
parochus	parish priest
pars (partis)	area, region
partus	birth, childbirth
parvulus	very little, small
parvus	little
pastor	pastor, shepherd
pater (patris)	father
patres	forefathers, ancestors
patria	fatherland, native land
patrina	godmother
patrini	godparents
patrinus	godfather
patruelis	cousin on father's side
patruus	uncle (father's brother)
pauper	poor
pax (pace)	peace
pedegogus	schoolteacher
penult	the last but one, next to the last
per	through, by means of
peregrinus	foreign, strange
perendie	day after tomorrow
perfecit	he/she completed, did
periit	he/she perished, died
peritus	deceased, dead
peritus est	he died
pestis	plague
phthisis	consumption, tuberculosis
pictor	painter
pie	piously
pigator	dyer
piscator	fisherman
pistor	baker
pius	pious
plutus	baptized, sprinkled
pomerid	afternoon (p.m.)
pons (pontis)	bridge
popula	people
post	after
posterus	following
posthumus	born after death of father
post partum	after birth
postridie	on the day after, a day later
potuit	could
preceptor	teacher, instructor
predefunctus	previously deceased (such as before the birth of a child)
predictus	aforesaid
prefatus	aforesaid
prefectus	magistrate
pregnata	pregnant
premissus	published previously (such as marriage banns)
prenobilis	respected, honorable, esteemed
presens (presentis)	present, in attendance
preter	besides, also, past, beyond
pretor	village mayor
pridie	the day before
primus	first
princeps	prince
principatus	principality
privigna	stepdaughter
privignus	stepson
pro	for, in behalf of, as far as
proclamationis	bann, decree
procurator	lawyer, monastic official
progenitus	firstborn
proles	issue, child, offspring (gender not given)
promulgationis	decree, bann
prope	near, close to
propter	because of, near
prout	as, accordingly
provisus	provided (with)
proximus	previous, preceding
anni proximi elapsi	of the preceding year
pudica	chaste, upright
puella	girl
puer	boy, child
puera	girl
puerperium	childbirth
purgatus	baptized, purged, cleansed
puta	reputed, supposed

Q

Latin	English
quadragesimus	fortieth
quadraginta	forty
quadrigentesimus	four hundredth
quadringenti	four hundred
quaestor	treasurer, paymaster
quam	how, as much as
quando	when
quartus	fourth
quartus decimus	fourteenth
quasi	almost, as if
quattuor	four
quattuordecim	fourteen
-que	and (as a suffix)
qui (quae, quod)	who, which, what
quidam (quaedam, quodam)	a certain person or thing
quindecim	fifteen
quingentesimus	five hundredth
quingenti	five hundred
quinquagesimus	fiftieth
quinquaginta	fifty
quinque	five
quintus	fifth
quintus decimus	fifteenth
quod	because
quondam	formerly, former (refers to a deceased person)

R

Latin	English
recognito	examination, inquest by jury
rectus	right, direct
regeneratus est	he was baptized
regimine pedestre	infantry regiment
regina	queen
registrum	index, list
regius	royal
regnum	kingdom
relicta	widow
relictus	widower, surviving
religio (religionis)	religion
relinquit	he/she left behind, abandoned
renanus	of the Rhine
renatus est	he was baptized
repertorium	index, list
requiescat in pace	(may he/she) rest in peace
restio	rope maker
rex (regis)	king
ritus	rite, ceremony
rotulus	roll
rufus	red
rusticus	peasant, farmer

S

Latin	English
sabbatinus, dies	Saturday
sabbatum	Saturday
sacellanus	chaplain
sacer	sacred
sacerdos (sacerdotis)	priest
Sacra Eucharistia	sacred last rites
sacramentum	sacrament, ordinance, rite
omnibus sacramentis provisis	(he/she) was provided with all the last rites
sacramentis totiis munitiis	(being) fortified by all the last rites
sacro fonte baptismi	in the sacred font of baptism
saeculum	a generation, century, age, eternity, world
saepe	often
salarium	salary
Saluatoris	Savior (as in year of our Lord)
sanctus	holy, sacred, a saint
sanus	healthy
sartor	tailor
satis	enough
saturni, dies	Saturday
scabinus	judge, lay assessor
scarlatina	scarlet fever
schola	school
scorbutus	scurvy
scorifex (scorificis)	tanner
scorta	unmarried mother, whore
scotia	Scotland
scribo	I write
scriniarius	carpenter
scripsit	he/she wrote
scriptum	written
secundus	second
sed	but
sedecim	sixteen
sellarius	saddler
semel	once, a single time
semi	half
semper	always
senex (senicis)	old man
senilis	weak with age
senior	older, elder
senium	old age
sepelivi	I buried
septagenarius	a person in his seventies
septem	seven
septembris	of September
septemdecim	seventeen
septentrional	north, as in America Septentrionali
septigenti	seven hundred
septimana	week
septimus	seventh
septimus decimus	seventeenth
septingentesimus	seven hundredth
septuagesimus	seventieth
septuaginta	seventy
sepultorum, liber	burial register
sepultus est, sepulta est	he was buried
sequens (sequentis)	following
serdo (serdonis)	tanner
servus	servant
sescentesimus	six hundredth
sescenti	six hundred
seu	or
sex	six
sexagesimus	sixtieth
sexaginta	sixty
sextus	sixth
sextus decimus	sixteenth
sexus	sex
si	if
sic	thus, so, yes
sigillum	seal
signum	sign, mark
signum fecit	he/she made a mark, signed
silva	woods, forest
sine	without
sinister	left
sinus	bosom, breast
in sinum maternum conditus	given into the maternal breast (buried)
sive	or
smigator	soap maker
socer (socris)	father-in-law
socius	apprentice, comrade, associate
socrinus	brother-in-law
socrus	mother-in-law
sol (solis)	the sun
solemnicationis	marriage
solis, dies	Sunday
solutus	unmarried, free from debt
soror	sister
sororius	brother-in-law (sister's husband)
spasmus	cramps
spirituales, parentes	godparents
sponsa	bride, spouse, betrothed
sponsalia	marriage banns
sponsalis	betrothed
sponsatus	married
sponsor	godparent
sponsus	groom, spouse, betrothed
spurius	illegitimate
statim	immediately
status	condition, status
stemma	pedigree
stinarius	plowman
stirps	origin, source
stuprata	pregnant (out of wedlock)
stuprator	father of an illegitimate child
sub	under, beneath, below
subdo/subdita	substitute, placed under = used as a.k.a. or alias
subscripsit	he/she undersigned
subscriptus	undersigned
subsequentis	following, subsequent
subsignatum	marked or signed below
subsignavit	he/she marked (signed) below
suevia	Sweden
sum	I am
sunt	they are
superior	upper
superstes	surviving, still living
supra	before, above, beyond
supradictum	above written
surdus	deaf
susceptor	godparent (male)
susceptores	godparents
susceptorix	godparent (female)
sutor	cobbler, shoemaker
suus	his/her/its own, their own
synergus	ENGLISH WORD

T

Latin	English
taberna	inn, tavern
tamen	however
tandem	at first, finally
tegularius	brick maker
teleonarius	tax collector
tempus (temporis)	time
terra	land, earth
tertius	third
tertius decimus	thirteenth
testes	witnesses
testibus	by witnesses
testimentum	will, testament
testis	witness
textor	weaver
thorus	tatus of legitimacy, bed
ex illegitimo thoro	of illegitimate status
tibialifex	stocking-maker
tignarius	carpenter
tinctor	dyer
tomus	volume
tonsor	barber
tornator	turner (lathe)
totus	entire, all
trans	across
transitus est	he died
trecentesimus	three hundredth
trecenti	three hundred
tredecim	thirteen
tres (tria)	three
tribus	clan, lineage
tricesimus	thirtieth
tricesimus primus	thirty-first
triduum	space of three days, three-day period
trigemini	triplets
triginta	thirty
triginta unus	thirty-one
tum	then
tumulatus	buried
tunc	then, at that time, immediately
tussis	cough
tutela	guardianship
tutor	guardian
tuus	your
typhus	typhoid fever, typhus

U

Latin	English
ubi	where
uix nata	legitimately born (born to a married couple)
ultimus	last, final
unctio extrema	extreme unction, the last rites, anointing
unde	wherefore, whereupon, whence
undecim	eleven
undecimus	eleventh
undevicesimus	nineteenth
undeviginti	nineteen
ungaricus	Hungarian
unigenus	only (born) son, unique, only begotten
unus	one, only, together
urbs (urbis)	city
ut	how, as, that, therewith, in order that
uterinus	on mother's side of family, of the same mother
uterque	both
ut infra	as below
ut supra	as above
uxor	wife
uxoratis	married

V

Because V can be a variant of U, if your word is not here see also list U.

Latin	English
vagabundus	wanderer, vagabond
vagus	tramp
variola	smallpox
vassus	servant, vassal
vel	or
velle	will, testament
venerabilis	venerable, worthy
veneris dies	Friday
venia	permission, indulgence
vero die	on this very day
vespere	in the evening
vester	your
vetula	old woman
vetus (veteris)	old
via	road, way
vicarius	vicar
vicecomes	sheriff, reeve
vicesimus	twentieth
vicinus	nearby, neighborhood
victor	cooper (occupation)
vicus	village
vide	see
videlicet	namely
vidua	widow
viduus	widower
vigesimus	twentieth
vigesimus nonus	twenty-ninth
vigesimus octavus	twenty-eighth
vigesimus primus	twenty-first
vigesimus quartus	twenty-fourth
vigesimus quintus	twenty-fifth
vigesimus secundus	twenty-second
vigesimus septimus	twenty-seventh
vigesimus sextus	twenty-sixth
vigesimus tertius	twenty-third
viginti	twenty
viginti duo	twenty-two
viginti noven	twenty-nine
viginti octo	twenty-eight
viginti quattuor	twenty-four
viginti quinque	twenty-five
viginti septem	twenty-seven
viginti sex	twenty-six
viginti tres	twenty-three
viginti unus	twenty-one
villa	village
villicanus	reeve, steward
vinicola	winemaker
vir	man, male
virgo (virginis)	virgin
virtuosus	virtuous, honorable
vita	life
vitam cessit	he/she departed from life (died)
vitriarius	glassmaker
vitricus	stepfather
vivens (vivus)	living
vos	you
voto	vow, religious undertaking and promise, marriage
vulgo	commonly, generally (known as)
vxor	see uxor

Z

Latin	English
zingarius	gypsy

External Links

• BYU Script Latin Tutorial
• GenealogyInTime Latin Dictionary - billed by GenealogyInTime as "the largest online resource devoted to Latin words and phrases in genealogy."
• An On-line Latin word-list (Hypertext version) - from the University of Kansas
• Words (by William Whitaker)- Latin to English - 39,000 entry dictionary and grammar aid
• Genealogical Abbreviations" in Roots: The Genealogy And Family History Home Page - about 240 English, Latin, and French abbreviations published by Randy Jones
• Latin Terms from Ancestry
• Anglo-Latin Wordbook - word list compiled from several British glossaries
• The Record Interpreter: a collection of abbreviations, Latin words and names used in English historical manuscripts and records. Compiled by Charles Trice Martin.
• Latin/English Glossary of Causes of Death and other Archaic Medical Terms - Latin terms for decease and causes of death

References

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